Among prelates in attendance was St. [[Wilfrid of York]] (634-710), who was chief spokesman for the southern, Roman, church. It is his biography, written long after the events it purports to describe, that is the only surviving source for the Synod.

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Among prelates in attendance was St. [[Wilfrid]] of York (634-710), who was chief spokesman for the southern, Roman, church. It is his biography, written long after the events it purports to describe, that is the only surviving source for the Synod.

The Synod of Whitby constituted a milestone in the history of the Church in Britain, since delegates from the North and the South came together to debate the future of the church in Northumbria. The actual matters in dispute were fairly minor, the main controversies being over how to calculate the date of [[Pascha]], and what style of [[tonsure]] [[clergy|clerics]] should wear. However, whichever side was acknowledged as having authority to rule on these matters would also decide whether the Celtic or the Roman customs would have ascendency over the whole North of England. The matter came to a head one spring when the king, who followed the Celtic practice, was feasting at Pascha, while the queen, who followed Roman practice, was still [[fasting]] for [[Lent]].

The Synod of Whitby constituted a milestone in the history of the Church in Britain, since delegates from the North and the South came together to debate the future of the church in Northumbria. The actual matters in dispute were fairly minor, the main controversies being over how to calculate the date of [[Pascha]], and what style of [[tonsure]] [[clergy|clerics]] should wear. However, whichever side was acknowledged as having authority to rule on these matters would also decide whether the Celtic or the Roman customs would have ascendency over the whole North of England. The matter came to a head one spring when the king, who followed the Celtic practice, was feasting at Pascha, while the queen, who followed Roman practice, was still [[fasting]] for [[Lent]].

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[[Category:Councils|Whitby]]

[[Category:Councils|Whitby]]

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[[fr:Synode de Whitby]]

[[ro:Sinodul de la Whitby]]

[[ro:Sinodul de la Whitby]]

Latest revision as of 06:52, March 24, 2011

The Synod of Whitby was an important local synod which led to the liturgical and administrative unification of the Church in England. Summoned by King Oswiu of Northumbria in 663 A.D., the synod was held in 664 at Whitby Abbey, which was St. Hilda's double monastery of Streonshalh, at Whitby.

History

Among prelates in attendance was St. Wilfrid of York (634-710), who was chief spokesman for the southern, Roman, church. It is his biography, written long after the events it purports to describe, that is the only surviving source for the Synod.

The Synod of Whitby constituted a milestone in the history of the Church in Britain, since delegates from the North and the South came together to debate the future of the church in Northumbria. The actual matters in dispute were fairly minor, the main controversies being over how to calculate the date of Pascha, and what style of tonsureclerics should wear. However, whichever side was acknowledged as having authority to rule on these matters would also decide whether the Celtic or the Roman customs would have ascendency over the whole North of England. The matter came to a head one spring when the king, who followed the Celtic practice, was feasting at Pascha, while the queen, who followed Roman practice, was still fasting for Lent.

Final judgement went to the Roman church, whose practices were then adopted by the Northumbrians. Supporters of the Celtic traditions withdrew to Scotland.